The Northern Fleet will be on stand-by alert in the Arctic Ocean for the latter half of 2017, Northern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov told RIA Novosti.

"We will maintain a regular presence in various areas of the Arctic Ocean. We'll be on stand-by alert under the water and in the air and secure the safety of the Northern Sea Route," he said.

In addition, the exploration and study of the Arctic will continue, he added.

"It's an entire system of hydrographic and oceanographic research, including scientifically determining the boundaries of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Ocean," he said.